Navegaon National Park complete detail – updated

Navegaon National Park complete detail – updated. Geography of Navegaon National Park. Dominant flora and fauna of Navegaon National Park. How to Reach Navegaon National Park. During October to June, Navegaon Lake is visited by huge flocks of migrating ducks, which seem to wake you up with their loud calls.

Total area of the park is 133.88 Km2. It was declared as a National park in the year of 1975. Strolling through the woods of this beautiful forest with crossed paths against wild animals, watching them leisure in their natural habitats is also no less than an engaging attraction. The jungle Safari is one of the major attractions when in this park.

National park is an area which is strictly reserved for the betterment of the wildlife & biodiversity, and where activities like developmental, forestry, poaching, hunting and grazing on cultivation are not permitted. Their boundaries are well marked and circumscribed.

Navegaon National Park

Navegaon National Park is a beautiful place, located in the Bhandara (Gondia) district of the state of Maharashtra. It was declared as a National Park in the year of 1975. Total area of the park is 133.88 Km2.

The name “Navegaon” comes from the word Nave + gaon (Nave means new in Marathi and Gaon means village). This area also known as Navegaon Bandh locally (bandh means dam in English) because of the presence of the water body.

The Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Navegaon is home to almost 60% of the bird species found in entire Maharashtra. Every winter, flocks of beautiful migratory birds visit the lake—a rare treat for the eyes.

Jungle safari, staying in a tree top house and riding a sail boat in the lake is the most unique experiences of the Navegaon National Park.

Gondia is one of the most popular forest resorts in the Vidarbha region and was established the beginning of 18th century. Sprawled over an area of almost 134 Km2, the wildlife park comprises of a deer park, an aviary, 3 landscaped gardens and Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.

Flowing through the Navegaon Wildlife Park is the beautiful Navegaon Lake that flows with crystal clear water. The area around the lake is known as the Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.

There is also a high watch towers inside the wildlife park, from where you can get awesome views of the entire region.

During October to June, Navegaon Lake is visited by huge flocks of migrating ducks, which seem to wake you up with their loud calls.

The jungle Safari is one of the major attractions when in this park. Strolling through the woods of this beautiful forest with crossed paths against wild animals, watching them leisure in their natural habitats is also no less than an engaging attraction.

History

It was declared as a National Park in the year of 1975. Total area of the park is 133.88 Km2. The name “Navegaon” comes from the word Nave + gaon (Nave means new in Marathi and Gaon means village).

Gondia is one of the most popular forest resorts in the Vidarbha region and was established the beginning of 18th century.

There is an interesting legend about Navegaon Lake. It is said to have been built by one Kolu Patel Koli at the beginning of the 18th century. He is now defined as Kolasur Deo and his shrine is on one of the peaks surrounding the lake. The peaks are known as ‘sat bahini’ or the ‘seven sisters’.

The legend says that these seven peaks were deities who helped Kolu Deo to bring about the building of this lake into existence. The land circumferencing the lake possesses a tiny Hanuman Temple built around an idol of Lord Hanuman, who is known to be the deity of power and strength. Feet of this idol are said to even extend to a great depth under the embankment of the lake. Another legend about this lake is that an island named Maldonger existed in the middle of the lake waters.

Geography

Navegaon National Park is located in the Bhandara (Gondia) district of the state of Maharashtra. The area around the lake is known as the Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.

Flowing through the Navegaon Wildlife Park is the beautiful Navegaon Lake that flows with crystal clear water. The area around the lake is known as the Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.

There is also a high watch towers inside the wildlife park, from where you can get awesome views of the entire region. Total area of the park is 133.88 Km2.

This park exhibits an amazing diversity of terrain and the altitude ranges from nearly 30 meters to about 702 meters above the mean sea level, which is the highest point of the park.

The typical geological formations are Sakoli Series having number of formations made of phyllites, slates, chlorites etc. and Saucer Series. The rocks of the two groups appear to show difference in chemical composition of lime bearing rocks.

The mineralogical difference is that the rocks of Saucer group commonly contain Feldspar and Bio-lite but no chlorite whereas those of Sakoli group contain invariably chlorite, rarely Bio lite and no Feldspar. All this is coupled with a diversity of terrain having steep ridges, narrow valleys and deep gorges with varying altitude.

The best time of the year to visit the Navegaon National Park is between the months of April to May (Wildlife) and October to June (Birds).

How to Reach

By Air – Nearest airport is Nagpur airport, about 150 Km from the Navegaon National Park. Nagpur airport is well connected by road to Navegaon National Park.

By Rail – Nearest railway station is Deulgaon (Chandrapur-Gondia Railway line) railway station, about 02 Km from the Navegaon National Park. Deulgaon railway station is well connected by road to Navegaon National Park.

By Road – Navegaon National Park is well connected to Major Cities and Places by road network. There are a number of government and privately operated vehicles that go to Navegaon National Park at frequent intervals.

Accommodations

Accommodation is available in a rest house and a youth hostel in Gondia or you can book an MTDC run suite or cottage near the national park. For the more adventurous tourists, a tree house is available near the park.